Keywords:
Musculoskeletal joint, MR, Observer performance
Authors:
T. Robba, A. Gallo, M. Stratta, G. Regis, C. Faletti; Turin/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2013/C-2300
Methods and Materials
Between February and July 2012 were recruited for this study 40 consecutive patients (26 male,
14 female).
During standard arthro-MRI of the hip we peformed 3D FIESTA at least fs PD FSE in three orthogonal planes and in radial acquisition.
The 3D FIESTA images(0.6 mm thickness,
0.3 mm spacing,
5'25'')were post processed and 2 mm multiplanar reconstruction with average projection.
MRI imaging of each subject was performed on a 1.5 Tesla system (Signa,
GE Medical Systems,
Waukesha,
WI,
USA),
after intrarticular injection of 12- 20 ml of contrast-media (Gd-DOTA solution for intrarticular use - gadolinium-tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid).
The Fast Imaging Employing Steady State Acquisition (FIESTA) sequence provides images of fluid filled structures with very short acquisition times.
The FIESTA sequence uses the T2 steady state contrast mechanism to provide high signal to noise ratio images with strong signal from fluid tissues, while suppressing background tissue for contrast and anatomic detail of small structures.
According to Outerbridge classification: 0-I-II-III-IV grade was staged the chondropathy. The classification divide the chondromalacia into five arthroscopic grades: in grade O the articular cartilage is normal; in grade I there is discoloration of cartilage without fragmentation or fissuring.
Sometimes there is a blistering: separation of the superficial layer of cartilage.
Grade II: fissuring and fibrillation extend to a depth of 1 or 2 mm
Grade III: fissuring and fibrillation involve more than half of the depth of the cartilage thickness.
There is not involvement of subchondral bone.
In grade IV there is complete loss or erosion of the cartilage surface with exposition of subchondral bone.
All MR examinations were independently reviewed twice by two musculkoskeletal radiologist.
The interobserver agreement with fs PD FSE and with FIESTA was evaluated with the k-Coen coefficient.